Saturday, February 16, 2013

Consider first, that fasting, according to the present discipline of
the Church, implies three things. First, we are to abstain from flesh
meat on fasting days; secondly, we are to eat but one meal in the day;
and thirdly, we are not to take that meal till about noon. The ancient
discipline of the Church was more rigorous, both in point of the
abstinence, and in not allowing the meal in Lent till the evening. These
regulations are calculated to mortify the sensual appetite by penance
and self-denial. If you find some difficulty in the observance of them,
offer it up to God for your sins. Fasting is not designed to please, but
to punish. Your diligent compliance on this occasion with the laws of
your mother the Church will also give an additional value to your
mortifications, from the virtue of obedience.Consider 2ndly, that we must not content ourselves with the outward
observance of these regulations that relate to our diet on fasting days,
but we must principally have regard to the inward spirit, and what we
may call the very soul of the fast, which is a penitential spirit;
without this the outward observance is but like a carcass without life.
This penitential spirit implies a deep sense of the guilt of our sins; a
horror and a hearty sorrow for them; a sincere desire to return to God,
and to renounce our sinful ways for the future; and particularly a
readiness of mind to make the best satisfaction we are capable of to
divine justice by penancing ourselves for our sins. Fasting, performed
in this spirit, cannot fail of moving God to mercy. O my soul, let thy
fasting be always animated with this spiritConsider 3rdly, that fervent prayer and alms-deeds also, according
to each one’s ability, ought to be the inseparable companions of our
fasting. These three sisters should go hand-in-hand, Tob. xii. 8, to
help us in our warfare against our three mortal enemies, the flesh, the
world, and the devil. The practice of these three eminent good works we
must oppose to that triple concupiscence which reigns in the world, and
by means of which Satan maintains his unhappy reign. By fasting we
overcome the lusts of the flesh by alms-deeds we subdue the lusts of the
eyes, by which we are apt to covet the mammon of the world, and its
empty toys; and by fervent and humble prayer we conquer the pride of
life, and put to flight the devil, the king of pride. O let us never
forget to call in these powerful auxiliaries to help us in our warfare.
Let alms-deeds and prayer ever accompany our fasts.Conclude to follow these rules, if you desire your fast should be
acceptable; if you fail in them, it will not be such a fast as God hath
chosen. (Read entire post.)

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"...Bud forth as the rose planted by the brooks of waters. Give ye a sweet odor as frankincense. Send forth flowers, as the lily...and bring forth leaves in grace, and praise with canticles, and bless the Lord in his works."
—Ecclesiasticus 39:17-19

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Albert, by the grace of God, Patriarch of Jerusalem, to his beloved sons, Brocard and the other religious hermits who live under his obedience, near the fountain of Elias, on Mt. Carmel, health in the Lord, and the blessings of the Holy Spirit.